Wire-chain line



No. 815,849. PATENTED MAR. 20, 1906. G. M. MARTIN.

WIRE CHAIN LINE.

MODEL. APPLICATION FILED MAY 26. 1904.

- wamwwfisfi M Jim w az/ COLUMBUS MILLS MARTIN, OF FOREST CITY, NORTH CAROLINA.

WIRE-CHAIN LINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 20, 1906.

Application filed May 26, 1904. Serial No. 209,988. lModel.)

To all ZU/LO/lb it may concern.-

Be it known that I, COLUMBUS MILLs Man- 'rnv, a citizen of the United States, residing at Forest City, in the county of Rutherford and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and useful. Improvement in \Vire-Uhain Lines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to wire chains to be used as clothes-lines.

The object of my improvement is to provide a clothes-line which may be cheaply manufactured and which is adapted to convenient folding and unfolding and which is adapted to securely hold clothes without the use of pins.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a link and portions of two adjacent links of a chain clothes-line embodying my improvement. Fig. 2 is a detail view o'l' one of the hinge-joints ot' the line.

The line is composed of a series of connected links A A. Said links are joined to each other by transverse hinge-joints B B. All said links are identical in construction and arrangement.

Each link consists of a transverse member or portion D, two equal longitudinal members (I C, and two spirals E E, embracing the transverse portion D of the adjacent link. The portion D is perpendicular to the axis of its link. Each such link preferably consists of a single piece of wire. The links may be formed by bending a straight piece ol wire at two points at opposite sides of and away from the middle of the wire a distance equal to one-half the length of the portion D, the two bends being in the same direction and at approximately right angles to the portion of the wire which is to become the portion D and forming the ends of said wire into spirals directed toward each other at approximately right angles to the members C C and preferably on an axis parallel to the axis of the portion l) of the same link and closely surrounding the portion D oi the adjacent link A.

The spirals E E are pre'lerably so termed as to cause the extreme ends F F of the two spirals to meet or stand opposite each other in the same spiral line, as shown in the drawings, in order that said ends may be to the least extent exposed and that the portion D may be to the greatest extent surrounded by said spirals.

It will be observed that the two spirals E E together form a tube surrounding the portion D, and said portion may be regarded as the pintle and the two spirals as the knuckle of a hinge upon which adjacent links A turn for the folding of the chain. Each link in the form shown in the drawings is loosely twisted by relatively turning the ends thereof one and one-half times on the axis of the link. This may be accomplished by holding one of said ends and turning the other. Said end might be turned only on'ce around or it might be turned more than one and one-half times; but turning it one and one-half times when the links are twelve inches long 't'orms themembcrs C G into spirhls engaging each other in proper manner for satisfactorily holding the ends or edges of clothes drawn between said members by inserting them toward the opposite end of the link; By giving said link full turns or exact hall" turns, the hinge-joints remain in common planes and the chain is adapted to convenient and accurate folding accordion fashion. By making the portion D relatively long and directing the spirals E E toward each other the members C C are materially separated at each end of the link, and the twisting of the link inclincs them toward each other from the hinge toward the middle of the link, whereby said members assume the form and nature of braces and impart stability to the link and prevent the movement oi the links upon each other in any other direction than that for which the hingejoint provides. Thus the line is adapted to permanently maintain its form, although the links may not be composed of heavy or highly-rigid wire. The links do not become bent nor entangled. Furthermore, this arrangement leaves an opening at each end of. the link tor the easy insertion oi the ends or edges ot pieces of clothing between the two members (7 C.

Obviously my improved chain line may be made of links ot various sizes and weights and may be put to various uses.

1 claim as my invention- A chain line lormed ol wire links, each link consisting of a single wire comprising a transverse portion, D, two longitudinal members, C, terminating in two spiral coils, E, E, directed toward each other on an axis parallel to the transverse portion, D, of said link and fitting closely around the transverse portion, In testimony whereof I l'iti e signed my D, of the adjacent link, the ends of said Wire I name to this specification in the presence of being opposite each other in the same spiral two subscribing Witnesses.

line, and said longitudinal members, 0, G, bel COLUMBUS MILLS MARTIN. 5 ing separated at their ends and loosely twisted f l/Vitnesses:

upon each other between their ends. sub- I G. P. REID,

stantially as described. CHARLIE B. CROWELL. 

